Yosemite records 43% rise in RV visits

Yosemite National Park is heading into summer 2026 with heavier traffic, fuller parking lots and more RV activity after federal officials dropped the park’s vehicle reservation system. The National Park Service said on February 18 that Yosemite would not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months, after reviewing 2025 traffic and parking data. By late May, outside reports were pointing to bigger crowds than expected, and Yosemite’s own preliminary numbers showed visitation running ahead of last year. A separate travel report also said Yosemite posted one of the largest jumps in RV interest among major U.S. parks. ### When did Yosemite stop requiring reservations? The National Park Service said on February 18 that Yosemite would no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026. The agency said its review of the 2025 season found that most weekdays had available parking, stable traffic flow and visitation within the park’s operating capacity. Yosemite Superintendent Ray McPadden said in the park’s release that reservation systems remain “one valuable management tool,” but that a season-wide requirement was not the most effective approach for 2026. The park said it would instead rely on real-time traffic monitoring, active parking management, added staffing at key intersections and updated road and congestion alerts. (nps.gov) ### What signs show crowds are already building? National Park Service data show Yosemite recorded 836,458 total visits through April 2026, up 13.14% from 739,313 a year earlier. The same monthly report listed 316,815 total visits in April and said the current calendar-year figures are preliminary. LiveNOW from FOX, citing SFGATE reporting on May 31, said Yosemite counted 225,817 recreational visitors in March, compared with 155,758 in March 2025. (nps.gov) The segment described the increase as larger than officials may have expected after the reservation rollback. May 2 offered another early warning. Active NorCal reported that Yosemite Valley parking filled by 10:59 a.m., Hetch Hetchy parking filled about 90 minutes later, and traffic at the south entrance on Highway 41 backed up for roughly 90 minutes. (irma.nps.gov) ### Where does the 43% RV figure come from? Travel And Tour World reported on May 31 that Yosemite recorded a 43% increase in summer RV visits, placing it among the parks with the biggest RV surges. (youtube.com) I could not independently verify that exact 43% figure from a primary park dataset, but the claim aligns directionally with other reporting that Yosemite is seeing stronger RV demand in 2026. (activenorcal.com) National Park Service data show Yosemite logged 18,188 RV overnight stays in April and 89,672 RV overnight stays year to date through April. Those figures do not by themselves establish the 43% summer increase cited elsewhere, but they do show RV volume remains substantial heading into peak season. RVshare’s 2026 Travel Trend Report said major national parks including Yosemite remain top destination names for travelers, while interest in RV trips and flexible road travel remains strong. (travelandtourworld.com) The report did not, in the material reviewed, provide the Yosemite-specific 43% figure. ### What rules still apply if entry reservations are gone? The National Park Service says a reservation is not required to enter Yosemite in 2026, but the entrance fee still applies. (irma.nps.gov) The park also says visitors should still reserve lodging, camping and backpacking in advance where required. Yosemite’s reservation page says sleeping in a car or RV is allowed only in campsites. The park warns travelers not to arrive without lodging or campground plans during busy periods because they may have to leave the park to sleep. (pages.rvshare.com) ### What should visitors watch next? The National Park Service said Yosemite may use temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and has added seasonal staffing to manage high-use areas. (nps.gov) The park’s current conditions page also says pavement preservation work is scheduled this summer on El Portal Road and roads within Yosemite Valley, with weekday daytime delays of up to 15 minutes. (nps.gov) NPS.gov remains the park’s main source for current conditions, permits and reservation rules. As of June 1, Yosemite’s planning pages say no entrance reservation is required in 2026, and the monthly public-use report notes that 2026 visitation data remain preliminary until finalization next year. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)